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I saw some discussion about this in the PreSeason thread and thought it deserved it's own.

Why did the Patriots take Mallet?

Value. BB saw potential in Mallet and knows he can turn him into a good QB.

Would anyone else in the 3rd round provide as much value? No.

1. In a few years, Brady may be ready to retire.

2. If Brady gets hurt, Mallet can step in and play.

3. If neither of the above happen, remember that the Eagles got a 2nd rounder AND Dominique Rogers-Cromartie for Kevin Kolb. QB's hold high trade value because a good QB is rare, and teams are desperate for them.

Mallet showed a great arm but Hoyer ran that offense just like Brady if anyone is geting traded for a 2th round pick next year it's Hoyer, even with that said they did do all that vs a team that IMO will not win more then 7 games this year and it was there back ups

I think Mallett was picked because he represented value at that pick. Physically he represents first round talent. He looked like he understood what was happening for a rookie.

Hoyer will be a RFA next year, he looks like he would be a real upgrade for a number of teams. IMO he looks better than M Cassell did prior to Brady's injury. I don't think he will be a career backup and we won't be able to pay him what he will command in the market as a FA.

If Mallett develops he is capable of being the backup as early as next season. So we can derive value trading Hoyer and Hoyer can continue his career as a starter. Looking forward when Mallett has a higher upside than Hoyer, assuming he puts the work in, we will see. If Mallett develops when his rookie contract ends Brady will be 38-39, close to retirement and we may have out QB of the future on the roster now in Mallett.

It's a little more difficult to flip a player for value when you draft him in the third as opposed to day three or an UDFA. That said, if he also provides solid value as a backup QB for a couple seasons substantial return on your investment can still be achieved. While you get guys like Cassel and Hoyer on the cheap, you also have to overcome the perception of value that tends to cling based on where they were selected that tends to put a ceiling on that value. If Mallett looks good the perception will be he should have gone in the first and that should actually increase his potential trade value dramatically.

It's early yet, but Mallett certainly looks to be better suited to the roll as envisioned here than a guy like KOC who screamed waste of time out of the gate because he couldn't run this offense the way it was intended. Ditto Hoyer vs. Gutierrez. But we still need to see if Mallett can perform consistently and improve as Hoyer has and perform against 1st stringers and/or in a regular season scenario.

For now I think both are on the way to building trade value and one thing that helps is the media isn't scoffing at either which created a real drag on Cassel's perceived value even after he started 15 games here.

I think Mallett was picked because he represented value at that pick. Physically he represents first round talent. He looked like he understood what was happening for a rookie.

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This is my thinking. I don't think he went in wanting to pick a potentially franchise-quality quarterback, but the value far exceeded any other options at the time and was too good to pass up. (And, if you believe some reports, no one was willing to trade). I have a feeling a lot of teams will regret not taking him when they had their chance.

Both Hoyer and Mallett are future starting QBs. But Mallett is the only one with a future here. Hoyer will be gone next year for compensation and Mallett will either take over when Brady retires or simply beat him out as his otherworldly talent is developed and Brady's skills begin to erode.

Both Hoyer and Mallett are future starting QBs. But Mallett is the only one with a future here. Hoyer will be gone next year for compensation and Mallett will either take over when Brady retires or simply beat him out as his otherworldly talent is developed and Brady's skills begin to erode.

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Brady just turned 34 and there is no sign of erosion in his otherworldly talent. If he remains healthy (and surrounded by an elite OL as the present one is setting up to be for the forseeable future) and motivated his intention is to play longer than 4 more seasons and I expect him to get his actual 2-3 year to retirement extension tacked on in 2013. In which case Mallett will be on the block entering his 4th season. Given BB's developing track record in identifying talent at the position that can play within the system, he will have identified another candidate by then allowing for Brady to be a Patriot for Life. Tom will hang 'em up before his skills deteriorate to the point a replacement represents better value. Legacy matters to him, as it does to BB and Kraft.

Hoyer....his contract will be up after this year. With the new CBA, will the Pats still be able to control him via restricted free agency? And what would be that cost?

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Yes. And the cost of a 1st or 2nd round tender (BJGE is currently on one at $1.8M) will only be a couple of million so they will be in a better place to play the market than they were with Cassel franchise tagged.

Both QBs looked strong last night. Hoyer ran the offense very capably, and Mallet played with poise. This is great news. However, this is the first pre-season game in a very compressed and unusual TC for all teams. My guess is that you won't start to see well-executed football until teams' 3rd pre-season games.

As for the problem of what to do with two talented and improving QBs and how to retain protection for the team while cashing in on future value remember this, Matt Cassel had the luxury of a 1 season audition as a starting QB. This was huge. We all hope neither Hoyer or Mallet will ever have that opportunity. However, a QB's value increases with more game experience and increases even more with regular season game experience. To get top value, experience in games that count in the standings is most important.

Hoyer has been in the system and demonstrated that proficiently last night. Mallet was cool and while he didn't go through his progressions as quickly as Hoyer, he did a damn good job for a rookie's first game. His passes were on target and accurate.

Brady just turned 34 and there is no sign of erosion in his otherworldly talent. If he remains healthy (and surrounded by an elite OL as the present one is setting up to be for the forseeable future) and motivated his intention is to play longer than 4 more seasons and I expect him to get his actual 2-3 year to retirement extension tacked on in 2013. In which case Mallett will be on the block entering his 4th season. Given BB's developing track record in identifying talent at the position that can play within the system, he will have identified another candidate by then allowing for Brady to be a Patriot for Life. Tom will hang 'em up before his skills deteriorate to the point a replacement represents better value. Legacy matters to him, as it does to BB and Kraft.

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I don't see a 38 year old Brady beating out Mallett entering the prime of his career, but it's all projection at this point. We shall see, but what's for certain is we have the best 1-3 QB situation in the NFL. I get your point that there may be someone else in the pipeline, but it's not realistic to expect someone of Mallett's talent since they won't be spending high picks with Brady and Mallett here.

Yes. And the cost of a 1st or 2nd round tender (BJGE is currently on one at $1.8M) will only be a couple of million so they will be in a better place to play the market than they were with Cassel franchise tagged.

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Thanks. How did the $1.8 mill get formulated for BJGE? And are QBs RFA values different than RBs?

I think the value of Hoyer next year is enhanced by the success Cassell is having. His arm is ok, but he did a good job making his reads and running the offense. I think there will be takers, if we tender him.

I don't see a 38 year old Brady beating out Mallett entering the prime of his career, but it's all projection at this point. We shall see, but what's for certain is we have the best 1-3 QB situation in the NFL. I get your point that there may be someone else in the pipeline, but it's not realistic to expect someone of Mallett's talent since they won't be spending high picks with Brady and Mallett here.

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Mallett had a nice debut for a rookie. He was playing against the JAGS scrubs though. He's got a ways to go before he approaches the level of beating out even a 38 year old Brady... And raw talent isn't always the panacea fans tend to make it out to be. Sometimes it even results in a ceiling on development. It remains to be seen if Mallett will continue to develop and improve. Many prospects fail to. BB said last night they all have talent and talent often flashes. The key is does it develop with consistency.

I saw some discussion about this in the PreSeason thread and thought it deserved it's own.

Why did the Patriots take Mallet?

Value. BB saw potential in Mallet and knows he can turn him into a good QB.

Would anyone else in the 3rd round provide as much value? No.

1. In a few years, Brady may be ready to retire.

2. If Brady gets hurt, Mallet can step in and play.

3. If neither of the above happen, remember that the Eagles got a 2nd rounder AND Dominique Rogers-Cromartie for Kevin Kolb. QB's hold high trade value because a good QB is rare, and teams are desperate for them.